Punjab SIR Row: MP Dharamvir Gandhi Claims His Name Is Missing, Says Governments Are Choosing Voters

Chandigarh: Controversy is increasing in Punjab regarding the voter list released under Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Hours after questions were raised over the name of Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, Congress MP from Patiala Dr Dharamvir Gandhi also claimed that his and his family members' names are not in the draft voter list. However, the Election Commission rejected these claims and clarified that the names of Dr Dharamvir Gandhi and his family are recorded in the draft voter list released on August 13.

What Did Dharamvir Gandhi Claim?

Dr Dharamveer Gandhi said that he has been living at the same address since about the year 2000. From this address he contested three Lok Sabha elections and won twice. Despite this, during the SIR process, a problem came to light regarding his and his family members' names. Raising questions about the entire process, he said that if there can be a problem with the records of a person like him, then how much trouble can a common voter face.

Why Did Gandhi Raise Questions Over SIR?

The MP said that the matter is not just about his vote but about the entire process of SIR. He says that the process of revising the voter list should be easy and transparent so that people do not face trouble in collecting old documents and visiting government offices.

He said that there was also a problem regarding the records of one of his family members. For this the family had to search decades old documents. Gandhi said that when his family faced difficulty in collecting old records, one should think about those who do not have such old documents available.

What Did the Election Commission Clarify?

Amidst the controversy, the Election Commission made it clear that the names of Dr Dharamvir Gandhi and his family are present in the draft voter list. According to the Commission, the names of Dr Gandhi, his wife Jagdamba Kaushal, daughter Rohani Parashar, daughter-in-law Chahat Sahuja and son Nabendu are recorded in the draft roll published on August 13, 2026. All of them are registered between serial numbers 44 to 48 in assembly constituency number 115-Patiala, part number 98.

How Is This Linked to Raghav Chadha's Case?

Dharamvir Gandhi's case has come to light at a time when BJP MP Raghav Chadha had also raised questions about his name in the SIR draft list of Punjab. Chadha had claimed that despite his voter ID being registered in Mohali, his name was shown as 'shifted' in the draft list. The rhetoric regarding this also intensified in the politics of Punjab.

What Did Gandhi Say About Voters' Rights?

Dr Gandhi said that it is not enough to solve the problems of any MP or MLA on priority basis. His emphasis is on the fact that the voting rights of every citizen should be equally protected. He demanded transparency in the SIR process and indicated that he would take up the issue further.

At present, the process of claims and objections regarding the draft voter list of Punjab is going on. Before the release of the final list, voters have been given an opportunity to check their names and details and in case of any mistake, raise objections as per the prescribed procedure.